
Saratoga Picks for Saturday, August 16:
TRACKING MR. ED: With a lone exception, chalk ruled Day 28 at the Spa on Friday. How chalky was it? Mr. Ed had an odds-on winner, a tiny Exacta and a super-cheap Pick 4. When all was said and run, the average $2 Win ticket (including a $58.50 winner) returned slightly less than $12. Jockeys Luis Saez and Ricardo Santana Jr. each had a pair of wins, while the Bros Ortiz (see Family Feud below) had a win apiece. New trainer Miguel Clement had two winners. As for Saturday, the Grade 1 $600K ALABAMA STAKES for 3YO fillies headlines the 12-race program. The undercard features the SKIDMORE STAKES for 2YOs as well as several first-class, competitive allowance and claiming contests. With an early first race post of 12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT, the weather forecast calls for sunny skies and a high in the mid-80s. Here are Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections for all 12 races.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Saturday (8/16)
Race 1 (12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT) — $75K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going a mile
Mr. Ed’s SIX SHOOTER SPECIAL DAILY DOUBLE: #6 INDY MAGIC (7-2 morning line) for under-the-radar trainer Carlos David, who retains Luis Saez in the saddle. A repeat of last race would bury rivals.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 6/6 Daily Double. ($5)
Race 2 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO NY-breds going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed completes the DD with #6 BELLORO (7-2 morning line) for top Upstate NY trainer Jeremiah Englehart and tough luck rider Manny Franco. The addition of blinkers is key to getting this beaten favorite back on track.
Race 3 (1:45 p.m. ET/10:45 a.m. PT) — $68K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile
Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY is #5 UNCLECHARLIESGIFT (6-1 morning line) for HOF trainer Nick Zito. Big class drop by gelding puts Nick and young rider Lane Luzzi in the Winner’s Circle. Am I right or am I wrong?
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 4 (2:20 p.m. ET/11:20 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies
I’m all for favorite #6 TENNESSEE BELLE (7-5 morning line) for trainer John Ortiz, who brings Joel Rosario back for his second start, where the coed posted a very good speed figure. Mr. Ed is looking for repeat effort.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (2:54 p.m. ET/11:54 a.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1⅜-mile on the grass
Three for the money: #4 FUERTEVENTURA (2-1 morning line) for low-profile trainer Rob Atras who adds blinkers and brings Kendrick Carmouche back to ride; #6 ZVEREV (3-1) gets blinkers for hot Mike Maker barn with top rider Irad Ortiz, Jr., #7 INVESTMENT MANDATE (6-1) makes third start for Chad Brown with Manny Franco onboard.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 6 (3:29 p.m. ET/12:29 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed likes Frankie Dettori accepting mount on second-time starter for always slick Wesley Ward on #7 SADIE EARP (9-2). She’s OK by me!
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 to Win & Place. ($10)
Race 7 (4:03 p.m. ET/1:03 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 6½ furlongs
I like a trio of trainers: #1 TALKIN & 1A GOOD ILLUSION (both at 8-1) for favorite trainer Danny Gargan; #4 HERO DECLARED (5-2) for excellent young trainer Whit Beckman, and #5 IT’S OUR TIME (9-2) for trainer/TV analyst Tom Amoss.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 8 (4:37 p.m. ET/1:37 p.m. PT) — $100K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for NY-bred 3YOs & up going a mile
HOF trainer Steve Asmussen only sent a few of his stock to the Spa, but those he did are 24-8-4-3. #3 GET A JOB (7-2 morning line) is seeking a repeat win with Irad Ortiz back in the saddle. Mr. Ed can hear The Silhouettes singin’. (Anyone under 75 can’t.)
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 9 (5:11 p.m. ET/2:11 p.m. PT) — $150K SKIDMORE STAKES for 2YOs going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Wesley Ward is the trainer Mr. Ed can always count on. The addition of top jock Irad Ortiz, Jr. seals the deal. #2 SANDAL’S SONG is the one.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 10 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) — $600K G1 ALABAMA STAKES for 3YOs going 1¼ miles
This looks like a three-horse race to Mr. Ed. He’ll take #4 NITROGEN (9-5 morning line) on top, with regular rider Jose Ortiz and trained by excellent conditioner Mark Casse, who’s having a stellar meet. Outsider #1 MARGIE’S INTENTION (8-1), with top rider Irad Ortiz, Jr., and winning machine #2 GOOD CHEER (8-5), both trained by savvy Brad Cox, are also in the money mix. Mr. Ed’s BEST WIN BET OF THE DAY.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win on #4 and $5 Exacta Boxes #4 with #1 and #2($40)
Races 10-12 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) — $1 Pick 3*
R10: 1,2,4
R11: 1,2,5
R12: 2,5,8 ($27)
*In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite becomes the substitute pick.
TOTAL WAGERS: $187
PLAYS OF THE DAY: (19 bets): -$292.10
BEST BETS OF THE DAY: (17 bets): -$200.50
FAMILY FEUD: With a mere dozen days of the 40-day 2025 Saratoga meet remaining, Mr. Ed is tracking the duel for leading rider between brothers Irad and Jose Ortiz. Each had a winner on Friday. Here are the number of wins of each rider at the beginning of Saturday’s 12-race card.
*IRAD: 45
JOSE: 42
* 3-day suspension pending
SUNDAY AT THE SPA: The $150K BOLTON LANDING STAKES for 2YO fillies headlines the 10-race card on Day 29 of the 2025 meet. Post time for Race 1 is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. There is a 35% chance of showers. Mr. Ed will be back with his selections.